Description
A hearty, savory slow cooker chicken stew that requires minimal prep time. Simply dump ingredients into the pot for a comforting, tender meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
- Potatoes (Yukon Gold or red), peeled and diced into 1-inch cubes
- Carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds or half-moons
- Celery stalks, chopped
- 1 yellow or white onion, diced
- Fresh garlic, minced
- 32 ounces (4 cups) low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1–2 tablespoons tomato paste
- Dried thyme
- Dried parsley
- Bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (slurry)
- Heavy cream or milk (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Peel and dice potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Peel and slice carrots. Chop celery and onion. Mince garlic.
- Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
- Add chicken, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion to the slow cooker. Sprinkle minced garlic over the top.
- Pour in chicken broth. Add butter, tomato paste, dried thyme, parsley, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir gently to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through.
- In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir this slurry into the hot stew.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for an additional 30 minutes to thicken the stew.
- Remove bay leaves. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Stir in heavy cream or milk if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels. Do not skip the cornstarch thickening step for a hearty consistency. Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts during long cooking. Leftovers improve in flavor after 24 hours. Freeze without dairy for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-7 hours (LOW) or 3-4 hours (HIGH) + 30 minutes thickening
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl with crusty b
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 28
Keywords: slow cooker, crockpot, chicken stew, dump and go, easy dinner, comfort food, meal prep, gluten-free options